4. The Black Dahlia Murder – Deflorate (Metal Blade)
I was a little concerned with this album at first, thinking that TBDM’s overall sound would change considering they replaced their lead guitarist. Deflorate, while more technical, remains as brutal as TBDM can be, and still retains that signature TBDM sound. I do miss the solos a bit, but Ryan Knight is a solid replacement. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by this album, and enjoy every track on it, a must have for every TBDM fan.

3. Lamb of God – Wrath (Epic, Roadrunner)
This album was a pleasant surprise after Sacrament. I thought LOG had lost it, but they proved me wrong this year, as this album kicks some serious ass!

2. Conducting From The Grave – When Legends Become Dust (Sumerian)
I found out about this band just a few months ago and if it weren’t for Creature, this album would be number 1. These guys have tons of talent and I look forward to their future offerings.

1. Within The Ruins – Creature (Victory)
Just found out about this band but definitely my favorite album of the year. Their creativity and uniqueness has made it next to impossible for me to take this album out of my cd player.

Scrambles the Death Dealer’s Top 10 Part 2 is a post from: KZSC Santa Cruz

9. Adagio - Archangels In Black (Listenable)
Adagio is a great power metal band that I think might get overlooked at times because of their similarity in name to that of Brazilian power metal band, Alagio. However, this album proves that they are definitely different.

8. Stratovarius – Polaris (Edel, Ear music)
I was shocked when I heard this album, it didn’t really sound like Stratovarius at all. Quite heavy, not what I was used to for them, but it was a pleasant surprise.

7. Sonata Arctica – The Days of Grays (Nuclear Blast)
I’m pleased to announce that Sonata hasn’t lost anything by replacing their guitarist. I was worried that it wouldn’t be the same Sonata Arcitca that I had grown to love, but this album is very good, and so long as Tony Kakko is still in the band, they’ll be fine.

6. Dream Theater – Black Clouds And Silver Linings (Roadrunner)
Dream Theater is my favorite band, and they would have gotten the number 1 spot, because I love this album, but I felt that other bands were more deserving, so here they are. If you don’t have this album already, get it.

Scrambles the Death Dealer’s Top 10 Part 1 is a post from: KZSC Santa Cruz

Leviathin’s List of 2009′s Most Epic Albums Part 1

10. Porcupine Tree – The Incident (Roadrunner)
This is a 2-disc album, with the first disc being a straight 55 minute epic. Leave it to Steven Wilson. The only complaint I would have is that pretty much none of the tracks can really stand alone but as a whole its an epic song. If you want to hear just a part, check out the edited version of ‘Time Flies’ on their lastfm page.

9. Sonata Arctica – The Days of Grays (Nuclear Blast)
My favorite power metal band. They haven’t lost their touch at all. I love listening to them in the winter… They just seem like a winter band. This album is one of their best so far. Tony Kakko can sing the shit out of anything. Not as many epic super high screams as I would like but that doesn’t hurt it too much.

8. Animals as Leaders – Animals as Leaders (Prosthetic)
I wanted to put ALL of the instrumental metal bands I discovered this year into my list, but that would have taken up half the list and most of them don’t even have labels yet (see: Exivious and Cloudkicker, seriously, check them out) so I decided to put up the one I listened to the most. Animals as Leaders is like a more hardcore Scale the Summit, which is great. This is the album for someone trying to move into metal without words I think. It’s not all weird and introspective, its just metal, its easy to get.

7. Dream Theater – Black Clouds and Silver Linings (Roadrunner)
This album is Dream Theater, the Dream Theater you know and respect, which isn’t a bad thing, but that’s why it isn’t higher on my list. It’s a good overview of what they can do, but they didn’t really go anywhere new. I was expecting something a little more groundbreaking from them. That being said, if you like Dream Theater, then you will still like this album, but if you don’t this one won’t change your mind about them.

6. Scar Symmetry – Dark Matter Dimensions (Nuclear Blast)
This band comes out with some of the catchiest songs. In that sense, they are like the opposite of Scale the Summit, I can’t focus on anything else when I listen to them, I just want to sing along. One of my favorite Melodic bands, I always love listening to the whole album. If you like this one, go back and check out the rest of their discography.

Leviathin’s Top 10 Part 1 is a post from: KZSC Santa Cruz

In the works this week: Our metal library is full to bursting. We have decided that a good ole purging is in order. We will be going through our Loud Rock section in the library and putting music in the bin to be sold at the cd sale!! If you would like to help with this endeavor leave a comment or send an email to loudrock[at]kzsc[dot]com

1    SLAYER “World Painted Blood” [Single]    Columbia – making their way into the double digits this is their tenth studio release.
2    HORSE THE BAND Desperate Living Vagrant – with a unique 8-bit sound this band is most interesting and certainly worth your time checking out.
3    BLACK COBRA Chronomega Southern Lord – their first album on the  ‘Southern Lord’ label, if you have heard of and liked Cavity or Acid King then you might dig these guys too. Their new cd cover is reminiscent of Death Magnetic and they sound a bit like a muddier Mastodon.
4    IMMORTAL All Shall Fall Nuclear Blast – crushingly brutal and heavy they also have great songwriting, check out the black metal group immortal on their 8th studio release.
5    LYNCH MOB Smoke And Mirrors Frontiers – Straight up rockers with a sound from the 80s they really sound like a blast from the past. This song made me think of Rocket – Def Lepaprd.

1    METALOCALYPSE: DETHKLOK Dethklok: The Dethalbum II    Williams St.
2    HATEBREED Hatebreed    E1
3    BLACK DAHLIA MURDER Deflorate    Metal Blade
4    MEGADETH Endgame    Roadrunner
5    MUNICIPAL WASTE Massive Aggressive    Earache
6    RODRIGO Y GABRIELA 11:11    ATO
7    SONATA ARCTICA Days Of Grays    Nuclear Blast
8    PORCUPINE TREE The Incident    Roadrunner
9    KITTIE In The Black    E1
10    SHADOWS FALL Retribution    Ferret

I’m working on setting up a concert calendar for the Loud Rock department, hopefully that will be up and running soon!

As for all the stuff on the charts pretty much all of it is worth your time. Pretty much. There are some exceptional works in there as well.

Loud Rock the CHARTS is a post from: KZSC Santa Cruz

It has been a while my fellow metal heads. Exciting things happening at KZSC with the start of the Fall quarter. New musics are coming out too that are awesome. I’m sitting in a meeting where we are talking about our future and stuff so I’m going to go now…

1    BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME “Obfuscheion” [Single]    Victory – I saw these guys live the other day and they were so damn amazing. They played Obfuscheion and it was awesome. This sampler will definitely leave you craving for more.
2    CHILDREN OF BODOM Skeletons In The Closet Spinefarm – This is a bunch of covers including but not limited to Oops.. I did it again and Rebel Yell
3    METALOCALYPSE: DETHKLOK Dethklok: The Dethalbum II Williams St. – If you haven’t watched this show you need to go to Best Buy right now and buy the first two seasons. It is hilarious and metal.

4    ALICE IN CHAINS Black Gives Way To Blue Virgin – Its Alice In Chains it might not be the same as it was before but it still rocks.

5    ARCH ENEMY Root Of All Evil Century Media – A female fronted metal band that doesn’t have whiny vocals. They are rare but Arch Enemy does it right.

1    BLACK DAHLIA MURDER Deflorate Metal Blade
2    MUNICIPAL WASTE Massive Aggressive Earache
3    MEGADETH Endgame Roadrunner
4    TENET Sovereign
5    BEHEMOTH Evangelion Metal Blade
6    SONATA ARCTICA Days Of Grays Nuclear Blast
7    PORCUPINE TREE The Incident Roadrunner
8    SHADOWS FALL Retribution Ferret
9    RODRIGO Y GABRIELA 11:11 ATO
10    VADER Necropolis Nuclear Blast

Rodrigo Y Gabriela is an awesome acoustic spanish band that has never let me down. Give their old cd a listen as well. The Incident is a 55 minute epic piece that will entrance you and make you feel.. things. If your interested in upcoming shows in your area send me a message at loudrock@kzsc.org or leave a comment.

Back from the LOUDROCK is a post from: KZSC Santa Cruz

Lots of hard choices to make this week. Look past the break to hear about Prog Nation and some bands that should have made the adds list…

So I saw Progressive Nation when they hit San Jose last week. I would have preferred a better venue than the civic center. Kinda felt like I was going to a High School graduation… But the show was good. Or what I saw of it at least.. Me and Bisquick (who you guys will get to hear on air coming this fall) were dumbasses and forgot to check to see what time it started. It started at 6, we weren’t there till 7:15 ish… We missed Scale the Summit and Big Elf but we got to see Dweezil Zappa Plays Zappa and Dream Theater of course. I was really bummed about missing out on Scale the Summit..

1    ANGHER Hidden Truth Dark Star – Started by a cellist/guitarist. I love classical instruments!
2    DIRGE WITHIN Force Fed Lies E1 – A dirge is a somber song expressing mourning or grief, such as would be appropriate for performance at a funeral.
3    3 INCHES OF BLOOD Here Waits Thy Doom Century Media – They will be touring with Between the Buried and Me for the release of BTBAM’s new cd. In Flames will be there as well. Go see it. You won’t be sorry.
4    BLACK ANVIL Time Insults The Mind Relapse – They have a song called 777… I think they did their math wrong..
5    LEFT SETTER Left Setter – Listen to them. They are pretty kewl.

Honorable mention for Street Legal. Check out their myspace.

1   AUGUST BURNS RED Constellations Solid State
2    BURY YOUR DEAD It’s Nothing Personal Victory
3    MUNICIPAL WASTE Massive Aggressive    Earache
4    BEHEMOTH Evangelion    Metal Blade
5    PORCUPINE TREE Time Flies Roadrunner
6   SUICIDE SILENCE No Time To Bleed Century Media
7    KILLSWITCH ENGAGE Killswitch Engage (2009)    Roadrunner
8    WINDS OF PLAGUE The Great Stone War Century Media
9   BORN OF OSIRIS A Higher Place Sumerian
10    AUTUMN OFFERING Requiem Victory

Next week we’ll be adding Deflorate from The Black Dahlia Murder. Also, Porcupine Tree is moving up the charts in eager anticipation for their new cd The Incident.

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Shows are the same as from last week. Unknown dates for BTBAM’s upcoming tour, and Alestorm are going on tour soon as well. Stay tuned.

Adventures on The Great Plains of Metal is a post from: KZSC Santa Cruz

Getting closer and closer to more awesome release as new things come out each week. Stay tuned and get ready to be hit with a barage of music as soon as school starts.

1    PORCUPINE TREE Time Flies Roadrunner – Porcupine Tree has always amazed me with their interesting and progressive sound. This cd seems like it will be just as interesting as the rest.
2   MUNICIPAL WASTE Massive Aggressive Earache – You heard their sampler last week now go buy their cd!
3    LULLABYE ARKESTRA Threats/Worship Vice
4    RUMATERA My Crew Boogie – Spanish speaking garage rock band. A really fun listen.
5    AMARNA REIGN Atonement Self-Released

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1    AUGUST BURNS RED Constellations Solid State
2    BURY YOUR DEAD It’s Nothing Personal Victory
3    BEHEMOTH Evangelion Metal Blade
4    KILLSWITCH ENGAGE Killswitch Engage (2009) Roadrunner
5    BORN OF OSIRIS A Higher Place Sumerian
6    SLAYER “Hate Worldwide” [Single]    Columbia
7    ECLIPTICA Impetus Frontiers
8    HE IS LEGEND It Hates You Tragic Hero
9    AUTUMN OFFERING Requiem Victory
10    WINDS OF PLAGUE The Great Stone War Century Media

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WHITECHAPEL
Tour w/ Trivium, Darkest Hour, Dirge Within

09/29 Santa Cruz, CA The Catalyst

HATCHET
Tour w/ Havok

10/14 Santa Cruz, CA The Blue Lagoon

Dirge Within

09/29 – Santa Cruz, CA @ The Catalyst w/ Trivium, Whitechapel, Darkest Hour

Lowd Rawk is a post from: KZSC Santa Cruz

What’s new in metal this week!

1 MUNICIPAL WASTE 3 Song Sampler [Earache] – This is the bands fourth studio album and it is full of short ‘thrashy’ songs. The longest track is just barely over 3 minutes.
2 ECLIPTICA Impetus [Frontiers] – “If you like your metal to have imagination, passion, be melodically progressive and have some killer choruses, Impetus is for you. Hopefully the album’s title will help give them exactly what it says.” – Jeff Perkins
3 MERAUDER God Is I [Regain] – Hailing from New York these guys broke through the scene the old fashioned way by releasing multiple demos. After leaving Century Media this is the bands first release on Regain Records.
4 GWAR Lust In Space [Metal Blade] – Gwar is an American Grammy-nominated metal band formed in 1985. The band is best known for their elaborate sci-fi/horror film inspired costumes; raunchy, obscene lyrics; and graphic stage performances, which consist of humorous re-enactments of political and moral taboo themes.
5 HOWL Howl [Self-Released] – They have a female guitar player. Pretty cool.

08/16 – Santa Cruz, CA @ The Catalyst w/ Hatebreed, Winds of Plague, Dying Fetus, Toxic Holocaust

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09/29 – Santa Cruz, CA @ The Catalyst w/ Trivium, Whitechapel, Darkest Hour

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09/29 Santa Cruz, CA The Catalyst

White Chapel
ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK MAYHEM FESTIVAL
Tour w/ Slayer, Marilyn Manson, Bullet For My Valentine, Trivium, All That Remains, God Forbid, Cannibal Corpse, Behemoth, Job For A Cowboy, The Black Dahlia Murder

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10/14 Santa Cruz, CA The Blue Lagoon

Hatchet
Tour w/ Havok

Charts of Metal is a post from: KZSC Santa Cruz

Hate Worldwide

There were a lot of adds this week, and some definite honorable mentions; Beatallica, and Slayer‘s new single ‘Hate Worldwide’ among others. Things are heating up as we get closer to new fall releases as well…

1    WINDS OF PLAGUE The Great Stone War [Century Media] – Their third release and recording debut of their new drummer and keyboardist. This album is a concept album revolving around the theory that the world will eventually digress and end in one final battle. Although, that battle won’t be one of technology, but one of stone.
2    BORN OF OSIRIS A Higher Place [Sumerian] – Only their second cd but this band rocks exceedingly hard. Although all the songs are short they don’t always seem that way when your listening. If your new give one of their singles ‘Now Arise’ or ‘Exist’ a listen on their myspace.
3    SUICIDE CITY Frenzy [The End] – Out with their first full length cd with a Billy Idol, Queens of the Stone Age kind of feeling… They will be a band to keep your eyes on.
4    BEHEMOTH Evangelion [Metal Blade] – With some expert production on the drums by Daniel Bergstrand (the guy that produces them for Meshuggah and In Flames) this album is a great addition to their already impressive repertoire.
5    MAN MUST DIE No Tolerance For Imperfection [Relapse] – A scottish technical death metal band. This is their third release, heavy and speedy metal is what this is.

Listening more to August Burns Red‘s Constellations and I love it more with each listen. He Is Legend is really awesome too, keeping me on my toes. Some new music coming out that I’m excited for: The Black Dahlia Murder Deflorate, Epica Design Your Universe, Scar Symmetry Dark Matter Dimensions, Sonata Artica The Days of Grace, Nile, Arsis Starve for the Devil, Between the Buried and Me The Great Misdirect, and finally Porcupine Tree The Incident. Wow that is a lot of music. Now that I listed it all and am thinking about it I won’t be able to sleep… curses…

Upcoming Shows:

08/16/09       Santa Cruz, CA United States       The Catalyst
w/ Hatebreed, Chimaira, Toxic Holocaust, Winds of Plague as part of the Decimation of a Nation Tour

08/16/09       Santa Cruz, CA United States       The Catalyst
w/ Hatebreed, Chimaira, Dying Fetus, Winds of Plague as part of the Decimation of a Nation Tour

Metal Weekly is a post from: KZSC Santa Cruz

Excalibur

Well, I just exhausted my Star Wars movie themed blog titles… But this week we’ve got more goodies as we take a short trip around the world with our adds, find out the meaning of ANAAL NATHRAKH, and learn other fun facts.

1    CRASH THE SYSTEM Crash The System [ Frontiers] – Symphonic, classic metal from Sweden. This band has that old Metal Ballad feel that just gets you in the mood. Check out there myspace and give the first two songs a listen.
2    MIND KEY Pulse For A Graveheart [Frontiers] – This band is from Italy as we continue to tour the world through our adds. Claiming influences such as Dream Theater, Symphony X, Journey and Whitesnake, this band definitely impressed me.
3    HE IS LEGEND It Hates You [Tragic Hero] – These guys are from our own motherland, the good ole US of A. Whats not to like about these guys? Apparently they like bunnies, and their cd cover has a pterodactyl shooting some kind of beam at an ostrich. These guys are pretty bad ass and you have to listen to them to get them. And if you dig it, they’re myspace layout is Oakland A’s colors.
4    ANAAL NATHRAKH In The Constellation Of The Black Widow [Candlelight] – Our next stop is England. These Brits apparently got their name from Merlin‘s Charm of Making in John Boorman’s Excalibur (1981). It’s supposed to mean ‘serpent’s breath’. That’s sounds pretty sick. These guys have some industrial, some grindcore and all black metal feel. Now I wanna watch the movie to see how the name is pronounced.
5    MACHINES OF GRACE Machines Of Grace [Winterfall] – Here we are back in America. Jeff Plate, their drummer, plays for Trans Siberian Orchestra as well. And the members of this band used to be in another band with Chris Caffery.

Things have been shuffled around this week. And we have two new members that you may remember from last weeks adds. I’m talking about Autumn Offering and August Burns Red of course.  The band names are kinda related and though it’s not August yet, and Autumn is still a ways away, anytime is a good time to listen to these bands.

Still coming to Santa Cruz :

Chimaira - 08/16 – Santa Cruz, CA @ The Catalyst w/ Hatebreed, Winds of Plague, Dying Fetus, Toxic Holocaust

Toxic Holocaust must be pretty bad ass, look at this:

Return of the Loud Rock charts is a post from: KZSC Santa Cruz